But what exactly causes these symptoms? Well, this is how your eyes are typically supposed to move:

Eye movements, focusing and eye alignment processes involve repetitious muscular activity. The movement of each of the eyes is controlled by six extraocular muscles, which are responsible for proper alignment of the eyes when viewing objects such as the computer screen. The ability of the eyes to change focus is controlled by the ciliary muscle, which exerts a force on the internal lens of the eye.

The factors which make it visually demanding while working on a computer include, frequent saccadic eye movements, accommodation and vergence. Problems are noticed when the visual demands of the task exceed the visual abilities of the individual to comfortably perform the task.

So how exactly do computers exacerbate this muscle strain?

Computer vision syndrome is related to the unique aspects of the task. Working at a computer is more visually demanding than doing other standard office work such as reading printed documents. Aspects of the design of the computer video display such as screen resolution and contrast, image refresh rates and flicker, and screen glare, as well as working distances and angles all may contribute to worker symptoms.

In laymen's terms, your computer is causing your eyes to freak out. The ciliary muscles just aren't built to put up with the sort of stress your various screens demand. These issues aren't psychosomatic, and you're not just tired — all are signs of a real medical problem (known as Computer Vision Syndrome) that needs to be properly cared for.

So how do you alleviate your symptoms? First, take a big step back. No, really. Can you place your palm flat on your computer screen? Then you're sitting too damn close. Second, raise your chair. The top of your monitor should be slightly below eye-level. Next, dim the lights and turn on some Luther Vandross. Your monitor should be the brightest light source in the room (and the Vandross just makes things sexier).

Finally — and this is the big one — get a pair of GUNNARS. Recommended by the Vision Council, computer eyewear uses specialized lens, tints and coating to reduce computer glare and protect your eyeballs. Available with both prescription and non-prescription lenses, GUNNARS are the key solution for anyone who suffers from eyestrain.

The carefully engineered lenses are optically pure, ensuring the clearest image by eliminating distortion and haze caused by impurities, as well as tinted, to help reduce the amount of HEV (High-Energy Visible) light that can damage your retina. Additionally, GUNNARS' lens geometry aids in the eye's natural focusing power to help relax your ciliary muscles, while their ergonomic design wraps around your head to protect from drying air currents.